Marcel John Kalina of Eola/Mereta passed away on April 20, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born December 22, 1935, in Praha, Texas. At an early age, his family moved to Rowena where he was raised by his parents Matt and Mary (Kubenka) Kalina. Marcel graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1954 and shortly after joined the United States Army. Upon his return, he married Annie Lois Kellermeier on August 8, 1961. The newly married couple began their married life near Lowake where Marcel started his farming career. In 1965, he moved his family to Eola. Marcel was active in the community serving on Eola ISD School Board, Millersview-Doole Water Association Board, Lowake Sharp Shooters, St. Phillip’s Parish Council, Concho County Jr Livestock Show Association, lifelong KC member, member of SPJST, Czech Heritage Organization, KJT, and was twice the Honorary Chapter Farmer of Wall FFA. One award Dad was most proud of was being named the 2003 Concho County Conservation Farmer of the Year.

Daddy was known for his big sense of humor, even in his last days, he kept us laughing until we cried. Dad loved his family and he passed that love on to them. He was a man of faith and he took great pride in passing his faith on to his family. He gave his children a big work ethic and a love for Jesus. In his later years he always enjoyed a visit from his family. Dad’s second love was farming. Raising cattle, show pigs, and chickens were some of his favorite things to do on the farm. He took great pride in growing cotton, milo, wheat, pecans and especially watermelons and cantaloupes. A few weeks before his death, his last watermelon crop was planted to be enjoyed this summer in his memory. During the summer, a visit to Marcel would always mean you went home with several watermelons or cantaloupes. He enjoyed peddling his melons in surrounding communities and just giving them to his friends and family. Another one of Dad’s favorite projects was making sausage. When the weather turned cold, you always knew sausage making would be happening soon. Marcel had nicknames for many of friends and neighbors. Consider yourself a true friend if he had a nickname for you. After retiring from farming in 2006, he took up the hobby of building BBQ pits. One of his favorite past times was going the Lone Star Farmers Coop and drinking coffee each morning to solve the world’s problems.

Marcel was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Alice Gleich, Sidney and his wife Betty Kalina, Harry Kalina, Benedict Kalina, Valeria Hoelscher, Germaine and her husband Victor Hoelscher. He was also proceeded in death by his brother in laws, Edward Kellermeier and wife Gertude and Clarence Kellermeier.

Marcel is survived by his wife of 62 years Annie Lois, his children, Curtis (Donna), Linda Schwertner (Steven), Cecil (Gayle), Harvey (Lana), Nancy Schraer (Wesley), and Roger (Sarah). Also surviving are grandchildren Matthew (Britney), Jacob (Shelby), Amy Halfmann (Marcus), Sara Flohr (Josh), Eric Schwertner (Alisha), Victoria Orman (Landon), Jessica (fiancé Trey), Nathan Schraer, Alexandria, Luke, Lexi, Baines, and Hattie. Daddy is also survived by 16 great grandchildren: Byler, Blakley, Brance and Bostyn Halfmann, Grayson and Madalyn Kalina, Skylar and Briggs Kalina; Leo, Dane and Jonah Flohr; Lane, Caleb, Eli and Ty Schwertner; Mavery Long and baby Orman on the way. He is also survived by in laws Stanley Gleich, Betsy Kalina, LeRoy Hoelscher, Clara Kalina and Marjorie Kellermeier.

Funeral Services will be Friday April 26, 2024, at St. Joesph Catholic Church with a rosary being recited at 9:30 AM and mass of Christian burial to follow at 10:00 AM.

Grandsons will be pallbearers. A special thank you to Gentiva Hospice and our caregivers LuAnn Moore, Cynthia Martinez, and Regina Flippin. You are special angels in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Phillips Catholic Church in Eola or a charity of your choice.